i got phone call 6.30 this evening i have to attend a dhss medical

crutches

well the centre was next to pay and display car park,open door at top of ramp and lovely waiting room with toys& magazines& water etc.All doors were heavy pull ones and another had a fiddly knob on too so i suspect some kind of test?
proved ID to receptionist.(Had to struggle on crutches to her desk.)Expenses offered but declined(only 10 min drive and 6.5p per mile is a joke)
All staff(2 docs,1 recept and various clerical in and out) very pleasant and polite but obviously not allowed to help with chairs doors etc,very difficult for them i imagine.
lengthy PCA,computer guiding friendly,old doctor with questions.
checked my meds and noted them all from pharmacy labels(not my list).
I had to sit/stand several times due to pain but was allowed to.
Doctor apologised for physical exam.."Oh,it wants a physical exam now!",
had to have help off couch and he apologised profusely for not being allowed to help and asked me not to do anything i'd regret later.(i did point out i wouldn't know until later!).
checked reflexes,arm movements,leg lifts etc as prompted by computer.V painful but he was really gentle.
glad i took DH as he said a lot too and was asked a lot.Toddler played quietly on floor and was waved to/smiled at by all staff.
doctor says results in 3-4 weeks so i'll phone DSS fto request copy this afternoon.
off to bed now,in lots of pain as i fell on sunday,banged my head and am now back on crutches permanently for a while.(yes i did tell him and he wrote it down)
goodv luck to anyone else,hope your experiences are aws positive as mine.

hjb123

Oh well at least it is over with for you! Sounds like you had a much nicer doctor than the one I had! The main thing now for you is not to worry about it and concentrate on being well!

pipkin71

finally heard from dss after sending in forms on 9th Feb [post #5] and they are happy with my forms so will not need another review until 2011 - not having to attend a medical is a huge weight off my mind.

That said, for those who are awaiting the results of medicals, fingers are crossed!

Regards
Pipkin xxxx

fizzy_3

pipkin71 wrote:

finally heard from dss after sending in forms on 9th Feb [post #5] and they are happy with my forms so will not need another review until 2011 - not having to attend a medical is a huge weight off my mind.

That said, for those who are awaiting the results of medicals, fingers are crossed!

Regards
Pipkin xxxx

Is this for Incapacity? I have heard of them telling people on DLA they won't be reviewed until a certain year but not Incapacity.

I am going for a medical soon after a number of years without having to have one so am quite anxious.

bluedog

I've just checked the letter I got this week following the (not so) recent IB50 form I sent in. It says that as I have a disease or illness that is treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity, I will not have to undergo the assessment. The letter does not specify when a review will take place, but strongly suggests it is likely at some point in the future by saying "An incapacity assessment may be considered at a future date to ensure that you continue to meet the threshold of incapacity under the Personal Capability Assessment". It goes on to say that I could be asked to fill in a questionnaire or be called for a medical.

(personally I hope it's not a medical as I have to travel over 30 miles each way and I don't know the town at all - it does me in!)

SMC_2

Bluedog,

How long you been claiming? Is a newish claim?

I think they expect you to travel up to 90 miles each way for a medical which is just ridiculous!!!

bluedog

Hi SMC,

I first started claiming IB nearly 2 years ago and had a medical with them in Jan '05 when I was put onto higher rate IB after being sick for 12 months total by then. At that point I hadn't got a proper diagnosis for my problems and that only came in spring last year, hence I believe the decision came this time that I do not need assessment this time round nor thankfully have to travel to a medical.

It is over 30 miles to my designated benefit office hence if I have to go for a medical as the centre they use is in the same town, it is an all round trip of over 60 miles .... lunacy I agree! The stupidest part is that I live on the county boundaries of Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire and cannot claim my benefit from the office 4 miles down the road which is an oxfordshire address. (My postal address is oxon but come under northamptonshire council too.) The red tape syndrome speaks for itself as those living 6 miles withinin the northamptonshire boundaries can get their DSS benefits paid by the one closest to me and in oxfordshire!! There was an office in a town closer to me which I started of being able to attend but this was closed about a year ago. Being able to got to that office almost halved the travelling.

I'm sure there must be others caught up in stupid boundary red tapes too in other areas of the country. I was told the counties don't reflect the DSS boundaries - evenso, total madness given the milage involved!! I did ask if they could come to me or if I could see a doctor via the local office instead of travelling last year but the red tapes won't permit it ..... and was told that money would probalby be stopped if I didn't go, no matter what my problems!

crutches

got 43 points and will be reviewed in about a yr by gp letter/IB50/medical.
got 15 pts for bending or kneeling,7 for all the standing/sitting/walking etc so think i will try for DLA again (refused without a medical last time).

THANKYOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

SMC_2

That is great Crutches, it will be a weight off your mind.

How long did it take them to tell you?

I had a medical a few days ago, they said it would be about 3 weeks till I hear.

crutches

heard today ,medical was on the 25/04.so quite quick really and i asked for a copy of the decision and atos report to help with my claim for DLA.
HOPE YOURS IS SUCCESSFUL TOO.